GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE DISCOVER THE FAR NORTH VIETNAM TOUR
DESTINATION OVERVIEW
Discover the Far North Vietnam with Orient Skyline Travel on this 6 day trip! Take the most adventurous roads traversing the mountainous area for some of the most spectacular scenery of Vietnam’s greenest mountains, pristine valleys and rivers! Explore local markets, tribal villages, unique traditions to get a glimpse of Vietnam’s cultural diversity.
DESTINATIONS INCLUDED
Hanoi – Ba Be – Meo Vac – Dong Van – Yen Minh – Hoang Su Phi – Bac Ha – Hanoi
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
- See the most spectacular mountain vistas of Vietnam
- Explore emerald Ba Be lake by boat
- Stay in a village homestay
- Encounter Vietnam’s colourful ethnic groups
- Visit vibrant hill tribe markets
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room
- Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
- Adventure English speaking guide
- First aid kid per guide
- Plenty of water during trekking time
- Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fees for mentioned visits
- Service charges
THROUGH THE DISCOVER THE FAR NORTH VIETNAM TOUR, YOU WILL EXPLORE
Day 1: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Ba Be lake (L, D)
Begin your tour at 7.30 AM departing from Hanoi heading to Thai Nguyen. Arrive Thai Nguyen, pay a visit to the Museum of Ethnology to learn about the tribal people of northern Vietnam.
Continue enjoying picturesque landscapes along the way to Cho Ra, here stop for a late lunch in a mountainous atmosphere restaurant. After lunch, head to Ba Be and spend time exploring Ba Be national park and cruising Ba Be lake on a local boat.
For the night, transfer to the village of the Tay ethnic group in Pac Ngoi.
Overnight in homestay of Pac Ngoi village.
Day 2: Ba Be – Meo Vac (B, L, D)
After breakfast, bid farewell to the host family and drive 79km to Tinh Tuc. Enjoy the spectacular scenery on Colia Pass (French name), follow the trail to visit a village of the Zao Tien ethnic minority. Continue to Bao Lac, a little town nestled among the mountain ridges, take an hour walking around the village of the San Chay people, return to Bao Lac for lunch break.
After lunch, drive along the Gam River winding between the mountains. Along the way, stops are often made to discover the remote lands between Cao Bang and Meo Vac town. Walk through fascinating valley of Niem Son and discover the cultural life of Nung ethnic group. Destination for the night is Meo Vac town.
Overnight in Meo Vac.
Day 3 : Meo Vac – Dong Van – Yen Minh (B, L, D)
Transfer from Meo Vac to Dong Van, drive over the Ma Pi Leng Pass to enjoy its magnificent and spectacular scenery. Ma Pi Leng is one of the highest mountain passes in the Northeast region and promises magnificent view once reaching the top. Stop to visit Ma Pi Leng village of the H’mong people where limestone rocks abound.
Arrive in Dong Van, a charming little town on the other side of Ma Pi Leng and explore the stone market and the ancient street before lunch.
After lunch, drive to Ma Le and Lung Tao communes for spectacular landscape of rocky plateaus. Visit H’mong village at Lung Tao before heading to Xa Phin valley.
As one of the highlights of the day, spend time visiting the historical palace of the Vuong family who ruled over the region, controlling opium production and trade until 1945.
Continue journeying to the lush Yen Minh valley where you will stay the night.
Overnight in Yen Minh.
Day 4: Yen Minh – Quan Ba – Ha Giang – Hoang Su Phi (B, L, D)
Depart for Lung Tam in the morning with landscapes of the breathtaking Yen Minh Pass. Arrive at Lung Tam commune, nested in beautiful natural surroundings. Here pay a visit to a traditional workshop where over 100 tribal women from different ethnic groups co-working weaving traditional brocade and embroidery.
Continue to drive over the stunning Pass of Quan Ba for spectacular scenery with H’mong villages.
Arrive in Ha Giang and have lunch break.
Continue over 100 km drive to Quang Vinh (or Hoang Su Phi). Compared to the rocky land of Meo Vac, Dong Van plateaus, the Hoang Su Phi district features very different scenery. Fertilized by Chay river, covered by green forest, dotted with tea farms, this area possess the most impressive terraced rice fields in Vietnam. Here such beautiful landscapes await.
Arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon as the sun sets. Check in and spend time relaxing before enjoying a dinner in local style restaurant.
Overnight at Pan Hou Lodge in Hoang Su Phi.
Day 5: Hoang Su Phi – Xin Man – Bac Ha (B, L, D)
If today itinerary falls on Sunday, spend time visiting a local market where Flower Hmong, Red Zao, Nung and Tay people by the banks of the Chay river exchange local produce.
Drive away Hoang Su Phi on a 100km excursion along the borderline between Vietnam and China, follow the Chay River discovering the various tribal life of the Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung. Arriving to Bac Ha Town at noon, here visit to Hoang A Tuong Castle before breaking for local lunch.
After lunch, check in the hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the stunning Ban Pho valley.
Overnight in Bac Ha.
Day 6: Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Hanoi (B, L)
Depend on the day, spend the morning visiting one of the following local market: Bac Ha on Sunday; Can Cau on Saturday; Ban Cam on Tuesday; Cao Son on Wednesday; Lung Khau Nhin on Thursday.
Please note: These local markets are available on the above-mentioned days only. These markets offer a variety of local products, such as an interesting animal market where pot-bellied pigs, horses and buffaloes are sold.
After lunch drive another 3 hours to Lao Cai city to meet with the Sapa Express bus to Hanoi.
Arrive back in Hanoi at the bus drop off point around 20:00. After arrival, transportation and hotel are independent arrangement.
You might be interested in our Cuc Phuong & Ninh Binh – Wildlife discovery, otherwise look for other interesting options in our Vietnam adventure travel style!
